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Eight preliminary contests were held on the opening day of the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, where the winners of the Lightweight (60 kg) matches all advanced to the last 16 stage of the event.

Bout of the day

Jordan’s Obada Al-Kasbeh won silver in the last edition of the championships, and began his tournament with an entertaining victory over Korea’s Lim Hyun Sok.

Both boxers engaged their attacking styles throughout the bout, as all three rounds produced scintillating action which electrified the crowd at ringside.

Al-Kasbeh’s cleaner work from short range was teamed with dynamic hooks and uppercuts, while he added combination punching to his repertoire as the minutes progressed.

Sok was also impressive through the bout, but was overwhelmed by the variety from his opponent.

Jordan’s winner will now meet Uzbekistan’s two-time National Champion Elnur Abduraimov in the last 16 of the Lightweight class.

Surprise of the day

Tajikistan’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Anvar Yunusov was among the favourites at Lightweight, but suffered a serious hand injury in his first round match with Iraq’s Ammar Jabbar Hassan which forced him out of the contest.

India’s Manish Kaushik only joined the elite age group this January, but showed his potential to eliminate former South Asian Games winner Mohammad Nadim Hossein.

Japan’s Daisuke Narimatsu is undefeated this year, and narrowly continued his unbeaten streak against 19-year-old Hursand Imankuliyev.

Kazakhstan’s WSB Team Champion and two-time National Champion Zakir Safiullin is competing for his country at a high level competition for the very first time, and celebrated that achievement with an enthralling win over China’s Shan Jun.

Fact of the day

188 boxers from 28 nations are competing in the championships, which makes this the biggest ever Asian boxing tournament.

Quote of the day

“I often dreamed about my participation in such a big event as the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships, but two years ago when I suffered a serious injury I was not hopeful that I would take part in a major boxing competition before my 20th Birthday. My counter-attacks worked well today, and I was trying to use my footwork as a weapon against my neighbouring opponent. I know the serious part of the championships will start with the next bout,” said Indian teenager Manish Kaushik.

Tomorrow’s program

The second day of the preliminaries will be held in the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships, where thirteen Light Flyweight (49 kg) and Bantamweight (56 kg) matches will take place.